The Golden Age - Tahmima Anam

Set in Bangladesh, Anam tells the story of Rehana, a widow and mother to Soheil and Maya. She lives to protect her family, focused on her domestic role as caretaker. She is nearly oblivious to the political unrest of her country, until Pakistani tanks arrive and she is forced to confront the implications of her teenage children's participation in the rebellion. Against her better judgment (at times), Rehana is forced to go to great lengths to protect her children and prove her undying love and devotion to them - in the name of her country. In addressing the larger political issues of genocide, systemic rape and torture, and religious prejudice, Aman is able through her various characters to illustrate the effects such atrocities have on families and individuals - and provided me with my first introduction to the history of Bangladesh's fight for independence.